Episode 5

Oliver has been preoccupied since he arrived home to his father who of course was in a ridiculously sour mood, well he wasn’t surprised seeing how the event ended with him ditching his own party, his father, of course, won’t be happy about it.

“You still haven’t found the person who uploaded that footage and the hidden camera?” His father fumed. After he left the house of the strange woman he spent the night with, he went back home to change and now he’s been summoned by his father that had turned his office upside down after he didn’t get any positive response, his name plates and files was across the room instead of the desk by the time Oliver arrived back home, his father had always kept a calm, stoic appearance but seeing as he’s freaking out means things aren’t looking very good for him.

“You-” His father, Owen paused the moment he set his eyes on him. “You…you were out all night, you didn’t cause any more trouble for me did you?” The man queried as he stared at the cold, indifferent face of his son who was studying him keenly.

“How would I know, I have no recollection of the previous events once I switch, but he was with a woman, I have no idea who the woman is either but it appears he only spent a night with her so…I guess that’s fine” Owen furrowed. He might not show it much but he cared a lot for his son, things have been rocky between them ever since his wife’s death which Oliver blamed him for, not that he didn’t blame himself either, if only he had managed to stop his wife from leaving that night, she would definitely still be alive but what’s done is done, and now he’s left with a broken son, afflicted with a strange disorder he still had a hard time wrapping his head around.

Whenever Oliver switch, it’s like he’s dealing with a second son, a rebellious and angry son, he had no choice but to lock him up because he always ended up causing trouble that would not only after himself but drag his reputation through the mud as well, Owen wasn’t ready to entertain his son’s profanities and indignation, and that is why he had tried to suppress his son’s counterpart.

He spent years preparing Oliver to take over that position and when it was just about to happen, when that burden was just about to be lifted, someone just had to sabotage it and leave him out in the open, robbing him of his dignity in front of people who held him in high regards, and now those people that doesn’t dare held look him in the eye won’t stop running their mouths, people are questioning his decision and are starting to point fingers, the mess is too big to cover up and it will only get wider if Rio had gone on a rampage the previous day but that didn’t seem to happen which put Owen at more ease.

The only proof the shareholders and important members of the high society have to talk about is that footage, many speculations have been drawn up in regard to the matter, some say he used to maltreat his son and some say the act was his way of disciplining his son when he gets out of control, rumours flying around the moment the footage was leaked but he could handle that much.

Owen didn’t care if he was made into a bad guy or if they decided to twist and turn the truth, he just needs to shut them up, as long as they don’t see Oliver lose control, the rumours will only burn like a dying candle for a while, eventually, the lights will be muffed out, but Oliver losing control wasn’t the only thing he was afraid of, whoever was able to get their hands on their footage and figure out Oliver’s trigger won’t stop at just trying to expose him.

“Who on earth would do something like this?” He thought out loud moving away from his desk that had been scattered and rampaged after the whole thing get to him, but seeing Oliver alive, well and in his right mind ease his worries a little. So he was able to calm down and take a seat on the leather sofa that adorn his luxurious office.

“I can’t believe you’re looking far and wide for the culprit while you forget to check the edge of your nose” Oliver commented moving to sit opposite his father. Owen knew his son doesn’t like him very much but every action he had made or will make was for him, his only son.

“Do you mean it’s someone close to me-

“Dad, I don’t know if it’s your trust in my sister that’s that strong or your fatherly love that’s blinded but how could you be so blind to the signs, did you seriously think Laura will just sit back and do nothing while I take her position?” Oliver arched a brow at her father who was now losing the tie tucked into the vest of his dark three-piece suit.

“No, I know Laura is ambitious but she would never do anything that affects the image of the company” Owen replied leaning back into the sofa while his hand gripped the armrest tightly trying not to entertain doubts about his own daughter.

“She was smiling when it happened dad, not only was she smiling, she had a smirk on her face when the thundering started, if she really had nothing to do with it, shouldn’t she be surprised by what happened?” Oliver queried while Owen felt a tinge of disappointment and betrayal, if the whole ordeal was really orchestrated by his daughter he wouldn’t know what to do since he didn’t see that coming. Oliver let out a heavy sigh after seeing his father’s confused expression.

“Ever since mom died, Laura and I…have drifted apart, to the point that I don’t even know if we are blood-related anymore, but you can’t really blame either of us can I, we were just kids who lost our mother, so…I don’t think I’ll be able to reach Laura, but I’ll only be letting it slide this once because she’s my sister. If something like this happened again dad. I won’t stay still” And with that, Oliver stood and walked around the sofa he was seated pausing for a minute to give his father one last look.

“Also, the shareholders are not stupid, they know someone did this to stop me from taking over your position, I might as well use this to know who is on my side, the next shareholder meeting is tomorrow, right? They will probably bring up the incident, and those that oppose the succession would be successfully confirmed to be my enemy, see you later dad” Oliver took long strides out of his father’s office heading in direction of her office before his assistant Mike immediately joined him.

“Sir,” She called in a low tone.

“Have you found out what I asked you to?” Oliver asked as they slowly approached his newly furnished office which was not far from his father’s since he was the New vice President of the company.

“Yes, the CCTV footage from the hotel has been collected as well that of the hallway of the girl’s apartment-

“And the background check?” Oliver asked recalling he had immediately requested his assistant to run a background check on the girl he woke up in her house.

“Yes sir.” His assistant got the door for him and he advanced into his office. His eyes fell on the new nameplate on the desk displaying but his name and his position in the company. He ran his fingers over the furnished edges of the crystal before heading to his swivel chair and sitting with a flop. He stretched out his hand to receive the tablet which the footage was successfully collected and contrary to his belief the girl had indeed helped him.

Oliver felt conflicted, though he always switched he never truly know how his counterpart acted or who he really is, the only thing he could confidently say he knew about him is his name. He shut his eyes tight as he recalled the footage at the hotel hall, Rio had been so violent and temperamental but watching another footage of him now shattered all the beliefs and rumours about his counterpart, he never knew he had a gentle side to him as well.

Rio had not only followed a strange girl to her home but even acted so kind and chummy with her. Oliver felt weird about it for some reason.

“Andrea Morgan” He muttered the name on the printed document in his hand out loud. It’s surprising that the girl was part of the high society as well, not only is she a well-known designer but is also the daughter of a well-known fashion company with a popular fashion brand.  “This is a rather exciting turn of events” Oliver smirks staring at the woman’s background document.

He spent the entire day watching Andrea’s events online, her fashion show and interviews before he was finally driven home by his driver. He was mesmerized at how elegantly she had carried herself but eventually, Oliver saw an article stating that she was engaged to be wed soon.

“Honestly Rio, why are you hanging around with an engaged woman?” He pondered as he changed and prepared himself for bed after dinner, but the clouds decided to surprise him, pouring out rain and clapping thunders right before he was ready to get to bed.

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